Extreme heat is disrupting athletic events nationwide. Is sports ready for the future?

Scorching temperatures are affecting sporting events globally, raising concerns about player safety and game schedules. As heat waves continue, punters may want to consider betting on the potential for heat-related disruptions, extra hydration breaks, or match rescheduling, which could influence game dynamics and outcomes.

Cincinnati's Club World Cup substitute players opted for shade as extreme heat impacted events worldwide. In London, Wimbledon experienced a 16-minute halt for medical assistance, highlighting the challenges sports face amid soaring temperatures.

"Terribly hot," said Atletico Madrid's Marcos Llorente. The National Weather Service noted particularly high June temperatures, unusual for the month.

Soccer has faced heat disruptions before; FIFA moved the Qatar World Cup to avoid summer heat. Fans at the Club World Cup expressed frustration over midday matches. The global players' union urged FIFA to adjust schedules and implement more cooling breaks due to heat-related illness risks.

Increasingly, athletes employ heat acclimation strategies and hydration plans. Teams are installing water stations and designing venues with shaded areas and roofs. Allan Hershkowitz, an environmental scientist, notes a shift in how leagues safeguard against climate change.

Jessica Murfree from UNC expects more disruptions in sports due to climate hazards. The National Weather Service predicts weather extremes will persist, particularly in the Midwest and East Coast, as July approaches.

In recent weeks, no matter the sport or setting, one constant has connected competitions around the globe: scorching temperatures.

Theathleticuk